Wilfs increase private contribution for new stadium by “up to” $41.4 million

Posted by Mike Florio on November 22, 2013, 10:50 AM EDT

As the cost of the new Vikings stadium inevitably exceeds estimates, the Vikings and their owners have committed to picking up a sizable chunk of the excess expense.

The team has announced that the Vikings and the Wilf family will increase the private contribution by “up to” $41.4 million. The commitment, according to the team, “will guarantee the new stadium retains its iconic design and multiple fan amenities necessary for the overall experience.”

The release has no specifics; last month, concerns emerged that giant glass doors to be located at the main entrance would lose 40 feet in height due to cost increases.

“From day one our goal has been to build a stadium that benefits the entire state of Minnesota and provides the best game day experience possible for our fans,” said Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf. “This additional commitment is to ensure several of the features that are so important to all users of the stadium remain in this project.”

The new commitment covers a $13.1 million line of credit, a $13.3 million contingency guarantee, and $15 million in costs arising from the playing of games at the University of Minnesota in 2014 and 2015. The $15 million arising from playing games at the University of Minnesota previously was part of the total $975 million stadium budget.

The Vikings initially had committed to a private contribution of $477 million. The new amount pushes the private contribution to a maximum of $518.4 million.

Groundbreaking for the new stadium is scheduled for Tuesday, December 3. Assuming that the ground in Minnesota will actually be breakable on December 3.

It would have been $43.4 million, but they had to pay Josh Freeman to sit on the bench.

Honestly, I hope the Wilfs take that $2 million out of Rick Spielman’s paycheck.

contra74 says:Nov 22, 2013 10:59 AM

Deep pockets!

unfrgivn says:Nov 22, 2013 11:04 AM

Not a Vikings fan but as a Minneapolis resident and taxpayer, I can’t wait for then to tear down the Metrodump. That area of downtown is finally starting to get built up and become more residential, but the dome is a a relic and an eyesore and will keep property values down while it’s standing.

duece5 says:Nov 22, 2013 11:07 AM

In a few years, this 2013 nighmare will just be an asterisk.

Bring on Gruden, let him draft our QB of the future, and make it happen Ziggy.

Wilf does his share of doling out the cash when necessary, so I have a TON of respect for him in that he WANTS a winner, and he backs it up.

No doubt the Wilf family has already identified their next mark to defraud for the extra cash, that is if you are not counting the tens of thousands of Viking season ticket holders who will be surprised to learn what the true cost of their PSL’s.

If that’s the bad news, the good news is all the money they will save in not having to build a trophy case.

$44 million to ensure they can get their glass doors? Really? That’s the type of stuff they are waisting money on? Another reason tax payers should not be involved.

jrmbadger says:Nov 22, 2013 11:31 AM

How very generous of the Wilfs to pay the cost overruns for THEIR OWN STADIUM.

They should be paying for the entire thing.

Just more corporate welfare.

coachkilla6 says:Nov 22, 2013 12:09 PM

“multiple fan amenities” = attractions inside the stadium designed solely to rape the pocketbooks of fans who cannot stay interested in watching their horrid team on the field. Getting blown out before halftime? Hey, let’s go bowling up on the loge level!

The vikes will be using the stadium 10-12 times a year and the state will be using the it the rest of the time So yes the state should pay for half

dd393 says:Nov 22, 2013 12:25 PM

Ok, but guys, the roof. Don’t forget the roof.

NoHomeTeam says:Nov 22, 2013 12:53 PM

duece5 says: “In a few years, this 2013 nighmare will just be an asterisk. Bring on Gruden, let him draft our QB of the future, and make it happen Ziggy. ”

**********

What in John Gruden’s history makes you think he knows anything about drafting a Quarterback?

jrmbadger says:Nov 22, 2013 1:18 PM

kotapug says: Nov 22, 2013 12:11 PM

The vikes will be using the stadium 10-12 times a year and the state will be using the it the rest of the time So yes the state should pay for half
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except the state could have easily continued to use the PAID FOR metrodome.

Frazier28/7 says:Nov 22, 2013 1:27 PM

My only concern in the new stadium is the people in the front row seats. It’s embarrassing to watch prime time games with these new stadiums and the ‘fans’ in the front row that are more concerend with not getting popcorn on their lipstick and are only texting (not cheering) on their iphones and are just there to be ‘seen’.

except the state could have easily continued to use the PAID FOR metrodome.
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I dont know if you have ever been to the Metrodump but its called that for a reason. The upside down popcorn bowl was obsolete the day it was opened. Dont forget they built the thing with no A/C and during the first year open fans would go outside in the 90 degree heat to cool down from the upper level.

deltaoracle says:Nov 22, 2013 3:51 PM

I’m not sure how something which hasn’t been built yet can have an “iconic design.”

$44 million to ensure they can get their glass doors? Really? That’s the type of stuff they are waisting money on? Another reason tax payers should not be involved.
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Perhaps you should read the article again where it details what the money is being spent on.

Aside from that the Wilf’s are in heavy talk with everyone who wants a place to play at. Besides a Super Bowl bid and now a new bid for the 2017 College Football Championship, there are plenty of other events planned. Final 4 Basketball, monster truck, soccer, baseball (Colleges), x-games. The list goes on. It’s designed as a multipurpose venue that bring the fan experience up close to the game.